Servicing platform



Nov. 1, 1955 r R. P. TOUSSAINT 2,722,230

SERVICING PLATFORM Filed March 24, 1952 C5 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent SERVICING PLATFORM Richard P. Toussaint, Mount Vernon, N. Y., assignor to The Nichols Engineering Company, a corporation of Illinois Application March 24, 1952, Serial No. 278,291

1 Claim. (Cl. 137-342) The present invention is concerned with a servicing station and more particularly to an elevated, swingable platform for use in loading and unloading railway tank cars.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved servicing station of the character described adapted to give greater flexibility in operation, substantial ease of operation and increased safety to the operator.

Another object is to provide a platform having load ing and unloading piping associated therewith in such a fashion that both the platform and piping may be simultaneously positioned for use in loading and unloading a container.

Another object is the provision of a platform or servicing station of the character described in which the work-' ing surface or floor remains level at all times so that tools and associated parts for the use of workmen may be conveniently stored on the platform working surface.

A further object is the provision of a platform that can be easily moved out of the way of railway cars moving on tracks which are serviced by the platform.

A further object is the provision of a platform of the character described, constructed so as'to require a minimum amount of maintenance throughout years of use.

Further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of a specific embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the platform of this invention in position to service a railroad tank car shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the platform and showing diagrammatically a tank car adjacent the platform with various positions of the piping and platform shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the supporting column and associated piping taken substantially along line 3-3 in Fig. l

Fig. 4 is a broken sectional view taken substantially along line 44 in Fig. 1 showing the mounting mechanism between the platform and column and other operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary broken side elevational view of a part of the mechanism used for swinging the platform about the column; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 in Fig.4.

While I have herein illustrated and shall describe a preferred embodiment of this invention, the invention is not limited to the particular form shown, it being understood that modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Railway tank cars are used for the transport of a great number of fluids, some of which are volatile and others of which remain in the liquid state'at normal temperatures. Most tank cars are provided'with a generally cylindrical tank body which is provided between its ends with a dome extending upwardly from the body and mounting a hatch and other safety appurtenances. The loading and unloading of such tank cars is usually accomplished by inserting a pipe through the hatch in the dome. Workmen must have some means of safe access to this dome and such access as is provided on the tank car itself does not include piping. Previously known and used devices for permitting workmen to place loading and unloading pipes into tank cars have had many objectional features. Of necessity such devices are mounted along side of tracks upon which tank cars may be spotted opposite loading and unloading facilities.

Specifically, previous platforms have generally been hinged to swing vertically from a structure along side the track so that the outer end rests on the tank proper forming a footbridge from a fixed structure to the tank car itself. The piping was usually separate from such platforms and all tools and necessary suction pipes had to be carried out upon the platform once it was placed on the tank car. Depending upon the height of the particular car being serviced, the platform may or may not have been level. At the same time, such previous platforms were usually counterweighted in order to permit lifting of considerable bulk, resulting in the necessity of tying the outer end thereof to the platform supporting structure in some manner before workmen could safely walk over the platform to the tank car. In spotting cars opposite the servicing equipment, very little latitude was possible since it was necessary to get the dome of the car substantially beside the vertical swinging platform or else the car had to be respotted to such a position. In the present invention the difficulties encountered in the previous structure are all obviated and the work of loading and unloading tank cars has been made considerably safer and easier for the workmen as well as quicker due to a considerable reduction in the time necessary to connect and disconnect piping with the tank cars themselves.

It is presently contemplated that the invention will find its greatest use in servicing railway tank cars, however it may be equally applicable for servicing motor truck tank cars or in other installations where it is desirable to have a servicing station which can be swung out of the way when not in use. In Fig. 1 the location of the supporting column 10 for the platform 15 is shown relative to rails 11 which are adapted to support a tank car shown diagrammatically as having a main tank body 12 upon which a dome 13 is superposed with a hatch 14 on top of the dome. Ordinarily the center of the column may be placed approximately ten feet from the center of the rail track and such positioning will provide ample clearance for cars on the track when the platform is swung to a position parallel to the tracks. The platform is designed for easy maneuverability so that one after another tank car may be spotted approximately opposite the column 10 for loading or unloading.

The entire support for the structure is provided by a fixed column 10 secured to a cast base 16 mounted upon a concrete foundation 17 opposite track rails 11. The column 10 may be a section of suitable diameter pipe which is welded or bolted to the base casting 16. A plate 18 is welded to the upper end of the column for the purpose of carrying a tapered hollow casting 19 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the plate 18.. The details of this construction are best seen in Fig. 4. About half way up on the casting 19 is one race 20 for a combined thrust and lateral positioning bearing, herein designated a support bearing, since this support transfers the entire weight of the platform to the column.

The platform itself is of a box construction utilizing a plate floor 21 mounted on siderails 22 Which are here shown as channel members. A bottom plate 23 also serves to strengthen the box section of the platform. Angle members extending upwardly from the sides of the platform-and other'angles together form :aprotectiverailing 24 enclosing the Work-floor 21 f the platform proper. Near the outer end of the platform, the side rails are replaced with removable chains-25 so that-workmen may .have direct access to eitherside of the platform and thus may service adome 13placed on either side of theplatform'as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2.

Means areprovided'for mounting the platform on the column 10. This means is best seen in Fig. 4, and includesan auxiliary plate 26 bolted by means of bolts 27 tolthe 'base plate 23 of the platform for carrying an annular collar 28 having at its lower end a race 29 adapted to cooperate-with the race 20 to form a complete race for bearings 30. In this particular instance the bearings are shown as rollers which are adapted to carry the thrust of the Weight of the platform to the column and also to prevent the platform from moving laterally of the column. The casting 19 on top' of column 10 extends upwardly beyond this plate 26 to support mechanism for swinging the platform and a packing 31 is provided between the plate and casting 19 to keep dirt and other foreign matter from reaching the bearings 30. A grease fitting 32 is provided for lubricating the bearing when needed.

In-order to prevent the platform from tipping out of horizontal position, means are provided for hearing against the column 10 intermediate the top and bottom of the column. Herein this means includes a cylindrical sleeve 35 consisting of a section of pipe of greater diameter'than the column 10, which is welded to the bottom plate 23 of the platform and extends concentrically downwardly about the column pipe 10. Near the base of the sleeve 35, an annular plate 36 is Welded to the column pipe 10 for supporting a number of rollers 37 adapted to contact the outer surface of the sleeve and .thus maintain the concentric position of the sleeve about the column. Thus, it may be seen that a weight on the outer free end of the platform does not tip the platform downwardly since the bearing 30 and the rollers 37 prevent such tipping. In some instances the sleeve 35 and 'the bearing 30 are sufiicient to support the platform in "horizontal position, however a further safety feature is provided in that a diagonal brace 38 is provided to extend between the bottom rails 22 of the platform and the lower portion of the sleeve 35. Gusset plates 39 and 40 are provided for connecting the brace 38 at its respective ends to the platform and sleeve.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of means whereby an operator, while standing upon the platform, may swing the same about the column to any position desired. Herein this means includes gearing connected with a handwheel 41 above the floor 21 of the platform. This handwheel is mounted on a shaft having a sprocket 42 at its opposite end connected with a chain drive 43 to a considerably larger sprocket 44 on a shaft 45 carried by the platform proper. Shaft 45 is supported in bearings 46 and 47 secured to the platform and the shaft carries a pinion 48 at its inner end which meshes with a'bevel gear '49 mounted securely on the top end of the casting 19 which is secured to the column 10, The difference in size between sprockets 42 and 44 gives the operator a considerable mechanical advantage in turning the handwheel to rotate the pinion 48 on the bevel gear '49 and thus swing theplatform about the column as a center. The platform is locked against turning by a brake drum assembly 50 normally engaged in braking relation. A-foot pedal 51 can be depressed to release the brake shoes in the drum. Spring 52 maintains the foot pedal in its upper'position. A housing 53 encloses'the brake assembly and chain drive.

The platform is providedwith piping adapted to swing "with-theplatform and to bein'p'roperpos'ition for work- 'men 'at all times. 1n-"the-present"specific e'mbodimenga pair of pipe lines are shown, one for the purpose of loading the tank cars and the other for the purpose of unloading the cars. In Fig. 4 it may be noted that the base casting 16 is hollow and is provided with a number of bosses to which piping may be connected. Applicant has found that the most economical way of connecting the piping with the platform is to provide a number of weld necks 54 which are brazed or welded to the casting 16 and provide internal threads for connecting the service pipe '55 with the hollow interior of the casting. The

unloading pipe line has an upright portion 56 secured in the top weld neck 54 and extending upwardly through the column 10 concentricallytherewith and upwardly 'through the casting 19 on top vof the column and through an aligned opening 57 in thefioor 21 of the platform. At the top of this portion of the pipe line, a swingable elbow joint 58 is secured for connecting the laterally extending portion 59 to the upwardly extending portion .56. The laterally extending portion'59 is supportedby means .of achain 60 on a crossbar-61-secured to upwardly-extending stanchions 62 on either side of the platform. The chain '60 may be shifted .across the platform to move .the laterally extendingportion 59 to either sideof the platform. The elbow 58 provides the necessary swinging movement'to permit thepipe to becarried along withcthe platform in swinging from the full line position shown .in Fig. 2'to the dotted line position and in fact willaccommodate 360 of rotation as well as a limited amount of vertical swing.

A suction'line mustbe added-to the pipe line just described in order to permit fluids to be pumped from the tank car 12. In Fig. l-such a suction line-63 is shown connected by means of an elbow 64 to a short section ofpipefiS-joined to section59by means of another swing joint-.66. Oneof thejoints-64 or 66 can be provided with a quick-coupling device so that the suctionpipe 63 may be removed from the main pipe line easily and quickly. Ordinarily the suction line is made of a lightweight metalasuch as :aluminum so that'it may be easily .handled-by workmen and may be easily stored onthe floor 21 of the platform without adding considerable weight thereto.

The second'pipe line in the instant embodiment also has .an upwardly extending portion 70 which is secured at 71 .to the bracingstructurel38 and at 72 to the floor of the platform. A swing elbow joint 73 is provided on the upper end'of section70 and a laterallyextending section 74 is joined to-the swing. joint. A similar short section 75 is joined to section 74 by means of a second .swing :joint 76 .and thesame suction line or another suction line such as 63 may be secured to the outer end of the short section 75. In order to permit swinging of pipe 70 along with the platform, means are provided near the-bottom of the pipe 70 for permitting flexibility between the pipe and fixed base section 77. Two short sections of pipe 78 and 79 are joined by a. swing joint 80 and each in turn are joined by swing joints '81 and 82 respectively to the movable and fixed sections 70. and 77. When theplatform swings to one side of the track as illustrated in Fig. 2, the swing joint 80 follows the path designated 83 in Fig. 3 and the swing joint 81 followsthe path designated 84 so that theshort sections 78 and '79 are substantially at right angles to each other. When the platform is in use andextending outwardly over the track, sections 78 and 79 are vertically aligned. When two lines areprovided, one may be exclusivelyused for filling and the other foremptying the cars.

Means-may be.provided.for electrically lighting the top of the platform and tank car and/or providing electrical appliances ifdesired. Slip .rings 85 are mounted on an '85. In this manner the .electric lead 89 may bescarried to aposition on .the, platform and will1rotate-with the platform asitis swung about the column.

In operating and using the platform to load and'unload tank cars, the operator may have access to the platform 15 by means of a ladder 90 suspended from the rear of the platform and extending downwardly beside the column 10. Once upon the platform the operator may, by means of handwheel 41, swing it outwardly opposite a dome 13 on a car. Since a full 180 rotation is possible with the present device, considerable latitude is per mitted in the spotting of the car and the platform may be swung to either side of the dome 13. Ordinarily the operator will choose the side less obstructed by safety valves on the dome and will approach the hatch 14 on the side opposite the hinges. The height of the platform 15 is properly selected to give the operator a convenient horizontal base from which to work and his tools may be kept on the platform since it always remains horizontal. The piping is supported by the platform thereby leaving the operators hands free for handling the suction pipes 63 and unloading can be carried on in foul weather by the simple expedient of hanging an awning from the platform to cover the hatch on the car. After the car is unloaded, the operator may swing the platform to a position parallel to the track without climbing down and another car may be spotted opposite the column to be loaded or unloaded. When the operation is finished, the suction pipes 63 and all necessary tools may be stored on the floor 21 to await spotting of additional cars.

Since the parts of the platform structure are simple in construction, very little wear is contemplated and thus a minimum of repair and maintenance is required. Obviously the platform may be mounted on the column in equivalent manners and the driving mechanism may be other than that specifically shown.

From the foregoing I believe it is apparent that 1 have invented a new and useful elevated swingable servicing station having structure which may be easily constructed and maintained and adapted for economical and safe use in loading and unloading tank cars. The structure may also find considerable use in other fields of endeavor.

I claim:

A servicing platform for railroad tank cars, comprising: an upright cylindrically-shaped supporting column resting on a foundation along side a railroad track; a

platform having a substantially horizontal working floor and supported on the upper end of the column for swinging movement in an arc about the column extending over the railroad track, said platform being cantilevered from the column to avoid interference with movement of cars on tracks next to the track being serviced; an access ladder suspended from the platform adjacent the column; a pair of pipe lines extending from the ground level to the platform, one line having an upright portion centrally within the column and a joining portion extending out over the platform, the other line being spaced from the column and having an upright portion with a swing jointadjacent the ground and a joining portion extending outwardly over the platform, each outwardly extending pipeline portion being connected to the platform for swinging movement therewith; and a propelling gear mechanism near the top of the column operable by a workman standing on the platform to swing the platform about the column to position the outer end thereof and the pipe lines over the tank car to be serviced.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 79,763 Jones July 7, 1868 259,685 Haven et al. June 20, 1882 531,091 Blake et al. Dec. 18, 1894 569,542 Cheney Oct. 13, 1896 709,376 Thomas Sept. 16, 1902 874,246 Rose Dec. 17, 1907 1,060,844 Johnson May 6, 1913 1,478,925 Steed Dec. 25, 1923 1,654,300 McGee et al. Dec. 27, 1927 1,680,831 White Aug. 14, 1928 1,718,979 Protzeller July 2, 1929 1,722,349 Woodward July 30, 1929 1,835,132 Anania Dec. 8, 1931 2,030,650 Miller Feb. 11, 1936 2,049,401 Wallace July 28, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 437,790 Germany Nov. 27, 1926 

